Welcome to the second night of NXT's TakeOver: Stand and Deliver. Night One was filled with incredible matches and tonight adds another five matches to the TakeOver card, making this TakeOver the largest in history. Enough about that, check out the full Night Two preview for all the details. If you missed Night One's action, you can read the full play-by-play results, or if you don't have the time to read 5,700 words, you can check out our Quick Recap!
So with all that said, let's get things started! For those of you who want just the results and not the novella, click here!
NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver, Night Two Pre-Show
Pre-Show Opener
We're greeted by the same panel as last night, Sam Roberts and Jimmy Smith, who run down the card's announced five matches. Sam points out that this is the first time that the Women's Tag Team Championship have been defended on a TakeOver. We also get clips earlier today, where William Regal and security were awaiting the independent arrivals of Adam Cole and a bearded Kyle O'Reilly. We then get back to the video package, promoting the undefeated Kross' championship match against Bálor. Both men speak to their experience. This is Bálor's sixteenth TakeOver; Kross never lost his title but had to vacate it after winning it while injured months ago.
Samoa Joe is shown next, interviewing Kross (with Scarlett). They essentially cover the same information as the video, though Kross does call Bálor the greatest NXT Champion of all time. He reflects back on how it felt on the night he first won the belt and medical staff gave him the bad news on his injury. He goes from complimenting Bálor to angrily stating that he doesn't give a shit about what Bálor thinks. Joe wishes them luck.
Next, Samoa Joe sits down with Bálor. Joe jokingly remarks that Bálor has a nearly-spotless record, with only one loss in all of his numerous TakeOver appearances. Joe runs down Bálor's past history of winning titles and vacating a title due to injury. Bálor points out it took him months, if not a year, upon returning from injury to regain his confidence and remarks Kross has only had a few months. Bálor states that underestimating the Prince at the peak of his career is a mistake. Joe turns to Kross' size, and asks how Bálor will defeat Kross. Bálor points out that this isn't anything new to him--taking on bigger men--then he threatens to drown Karrion Kross in a way that he's never been drowned before. Yep, he said that. Kross, known for his many drownings, will prove a formidable opponent.
Backstage, Shotzi Blackheart and Ember Moon are asked by Mackenzie their thoughts on facing The Way. Shotzi breaks out in laughter, and the champs are all fired up. They tell Mackenzie that they're going to get their faces painted, Shotzi growls "welcome to the fire pit!" and howls. Meanwhile, Mickie James has climbed out of the potato sack from last night and is wearing a beautiful dress. The three Pre-Show commentators discuss the tag match, and Sam Roberts attempts to hype The Way. Mickie James points out that they could finally fulfill the "prediction" of the "Golden Garganos" if Johnny retains and The Way wins.
Number One Contender Tag Team Match: Breezango vs Drake Maverick & Killian Dain
Finally, we get to our match! Breeezango are out first and both men wear pirate-influenced gear, including hats and swords. Out next comes Drake & Dain to that same, cheesy, laughable music. Drake hops up on Dain's back in the middle of the ring and poses. Dain shrugs him off, glares at him, and they both pose again. The bell rings and we're off! Tyler Breeze starts off with Killian Dain. Dain goes to grab Breeze, but Breeze ducks and then poses in the ring Captain Morgan style. Dain slaps the hat off Breeze's head. Breeze tags in Fandango. Dain decks Fandango and tags in Drake Maverick. Drake taunts Fandango, gyrating above him jokingly until Fandango angrily rises. Drake rushes over to tag in Dain, and Dain warns Fandango off. Drake puts a pirate hat on Dain. Dain pounds on Fandango, then tags in Maverick while yelling "get in here!" Dain then picks up his partner and launches Drake at Fandango! After a beat, Fandango takes control. Fandango takes Maverick into the corner and sends him a few rights before tagging in Breeze. Breeze with a suplex and a pin attempt. Breeze pulls Drake to the Breezango corner and tags in Fandango as Drake desperately tries to run and reach his partner. Fandango with a big Stalling Suplex and a pin attempt. Fandango takes Maverick into his corner and drives his shoulder into the gut of Drake as Tyler Breeze tags in. Breeze with the Strong Irish Whip that sends Drake into, and bouncing off of, the corner. Breeze stomps away at Drake then covers for a close two. Breeze locks on a rear chin lock. The ref checks on him as he reaches for Dain. Dain angrily paces back and forth on the apron, wanting to get in. Drake struggles but gets to his feet, only to be struck hard in the back and sent into the corner. Fandango tags in and takes over.
Fandango with a strong whip of his own. Fandango and Breeze continue to isolate Maverick and work him over all while using frequent tags. Finally, Maverick flips out of Breeze's grasp. Maverick runs side to side, looking to slip past Breeze. Finally, Drake escapes and tags in Dain. Dain takes out both members of Breezango in the ring all on his own! Dain climbs out onto the apron and hits a springboard senton onto Breeze! Dain picks up Fandango in a rear carry. Breeze jumps at Dain, who catches him and holds both men up! Dain with a big jumping back drop, crushing his opponents! Fandango looks to go high but Dain rushes over to strike and stun him. Dain tags in Drake, who runs to the corner and leaps up to connect with a modified Hurricanrana on Fandango! Drake holds a hand up to high-five Dain. Dain, instead, grabs Drake and Powerbombs his partner on top of Fandango! Drake's dazed form manages to pick up the pin fall!
Your Winners and NEW #1 Tag Team Contenders, Killian Dain & Drake Maverick!
NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver, Night Two Live Results (4/8/2021) - Capitol Wrestling Center, Winter Park, FL
Main Card Opening: Poppy Performs
Poppy performs a song. I really don't know what else to tell you beyond this. The song had "Stand and Deliver" in its chorus. They used black and white dynamics in their clothing. Um, the drummer plays similar to that "wild drummer" dude on YouTube. The song is a pop-rock style until the interlude when it goes from light and fluffy to heavier riffs, guttural growls from the singer as she spins in the ring. There's an interesting outro. They then transition to a slower, chugging riff similar to Pantera's "Dom/Hollow" live mix. The crowd chants her name as we dispense with the nonsense.
NXT Cruiserweight Unification Ladder Match: Santos Escobar(c) vs Jordan Devlin(c)
Our opening match announced as the Pre-Show ended is the Ladder Match. The arena is dark and blue light floods behind the skull propped up on the stage. NXT Cruiserweight Champion Santos Escobar comes out decked in his old purple gear, a lucha mask and a bandana covering his mouth. He eyes a ladder set up on the ramp as he makes his way to the ring. Remember, the ring is flush with the ramp--the ramp is elevated and walks straight to the ring. Santos comes out solo, with the rest of Legado nowhere to be seen. He rips off his excess gear and readies up. Out next is the other NXT Cruiserweight Champion, Jordan Devlin. Devlin jaws at Escobar as Vic Joseph, Beth Phoenix and Wade Barrett are excited for this match. The bell rings and we're off! Both men go straight at each other with punches. Devlin blocks two punches from Santos, and catches Santos on a rope rebound, knocking Santos down on his butt. Devlin whips Santos into the ropes and drops down as Santos leaps over. Devlin takes Escobar down again. Both men to their feet. Escobar with a speedy side takedown. Escobar with an elbow followed by kicks to the gut. Escobar whips Devlin towards the corner and ch ases him. Devlin hops up, using the ropes to push him behind Escobar. Devlin takes opportunity, knocking the Champ down hard and forcing the Champ to roll outside. Devlin moves to the apron and connects with a springboard middle rope Moonsault onto Escobar on the floor! Devlin sends Escobar into the ring and pulls a ladder out from under the ring.
Santos runs and slides out of the ring, hoping to get the jump on Devlin, but the Champ is ready and uses the ladder to smack Santos. Both men head inside and the ladder is set up in a corner, leaning against it. Devlin and Escobar counter each other in a quick sequence that ends with Santos Escobar tossing Jordan Devlin into the ladder in the corner! Devlin rolls outside. Escobar exits, runs from the other side of the ring and hits a huge running knee that wrecks Devlin. Escobar smiles, confident in himself, and strikes Devlin a few times before moving back into the ring. Escobar takes a ladder to the middle of the ring, looking to set it up. Devlin rolls in and charges Escobar, who simply slams the ladder forward to smack Devlin. Santos is up, ladder held in a battering-ram position as he awaits Devlin to rise. Devlin's up but is limping. Escobar charges him, ramming him with the ladder. Escobar then rams a seated Devlin multiple times with the ladder to the gut. Escobar goes outside, pulling another ladder out from under the ring. Escobar stomps on Devlin some more, then sets the ring up beneath both Cruiserweight belts that hang suspended above the ring. Devlin desperately reaches for Escobar. Escobar will have none of it, and comes down to pound on Devlin more. Escobar sets up a ladder again, this time laying longways across the intersection of ropes in a corner. Our commentary team wonder what he's considering. Escobar pulls Devlin up and talks smack in his face. Escobar goes to whip Devlin into the ladder set up in the corner, but Devlin counters it and whips Escobar into the ladder hard, knocking it down to a leaning position in the corner. Both men are slow to rise. Santos moves over quickly to strike Devlin before he can rise, then goes back after the midsection. Escobar catapults Devlin at the ladder, but Devlin leaps onto it instead of crashing into it! Devlin scurries up the ladder quickly, and Escobar tries to stop his ascent. Devlin leaps off, hitting a tornado DDT on Escobar! Devlin heads outside and Escobar is back to his feet, just in time to manage a suicide dive that rams and smashes Devlin against the barricade! Escobar takes it back into the ring and mocks Devlin, kicking him and slapping him and mocking him. Escobar pulls Devlin into the double-underhook butterfly position, hinting at a Powerbomb on the ladder laid out before him. Devlin counters, dropping Escobar back onto the ladder.
Again, both men stand face to face and exchange blows as the crowd alternates "boo" and "yay!" Escobar looks groggy. Devlin manages to escape Escobar's grasp and hits a springboard cutter followed by a snap drop suplex. After a few moments, Devlin sets a ladder up. Escobar rises on the other side and grabs the ladder, using it to shove Devlin back into the corner. Devlin strikes Escobar, knocking the Champ down. Devlin climbs the ladder--which is set up in the corner--as does Escobar. They fight at the top, with Devlin getting the upper hand and dropping the Champ again. Devlin climbs to the very top of the ladder and carefully poses himself before doing a diving Moonsault off the top of the ladder, landing right onto Escobar! The crowd breaks out in a loud "NXT! NXT! NXT!" chant as Escobar rolls to the outside. Devlin sets up the ladder directly beneath the titles. Devlin's climbed to the top! He has his hands on the belts when suddenly, Joaquin Wilde & Raul Mendoza rush down and knock him off the ladder. They beat him out of the ring and beat him down in front of the announcer's table. As there's no DQ in a ladder match, this is all legal. Santos uses this time to get a breather before sending his Legado del Fantasma hermanos to the back. Escobar sets up the ladder and climbs halfway up. He looks up, so close to the belts, until Devlin throws a ladder in the ring to hit Escobar and stun him. Devlin sets up a ladder next to Escobar. He climbs halfway up his ladder as well. They struggle briefly before Devlin hits a Spanish Fly off the ladders! Both men are down for several moments before Devlin crawls to a ladder and readjusts it. Devlin holds his back in pain, then climbs the ladder slowly, egghausted. Devlin gets near the top and reaches up, touching the belts. Escobar climbs up and throws rights. Both stars are now fighting, with Escobar using fists and Devlin smashing Escobar's face into the top of the ladder. Santos desperately shoves Devlin, who flies off the ladder and crashes through another that had been forgotten in the corner! We see a few knicks and cuts on Devlin's left shoulder as Santos climbs up and retrieves both belts for the win.
Your winner and UNDISPUTED NXT Cruiserweight Champion, Santos Escobar!
After the Match
Santos takes a moment to kiss both belts before heading up the stage, where his Legado teammates await him. Santos' nine-year-old son comes out and Escobar is all smiles as he hugs his son and gives him one of the Cruiserweight belts, before placing his old lucha mask on his son.
NXT Women's Tag Team Championship Match: Ember Moon & Shotzi Blackheart(c) vs The Way
The Way make their way out first. Candice LeRae wears an outfit that seems inspired by Thor or perhaps Sif/Valkyrie. Indi comes out wearing her ownoutfit but in matching shades of gray. Out next are the Women's Tag Team Champions, Ember Moon and Shotzi Blackheart. They ride out to the stage top with Shotzi's tank then walk the rest of the way down . Our competitors prepare as the official announcements are made. This is the first time that these titles have been defended on a TakeOver. Candice LeRae and Shotzi Blackheart start things off first. Shotzi comes out the gates swinging, furiously taking it to LeRae and backing her up into the corner with strikes. Indi Hartwell enters and runs over, pulling Shotzi off her teammate and hitting a side wrestling takedown. Candice tags in Indi once Shotzi's down. Indi utilizes a few generic strikes and a suplex before taking in Candice. Candice with a snap suplex, then an up-and-over followed by a roll-up for a two. Candice stands on Shotzi's neck as the ref counts and warns her. Shotzi tries to fight back when Candice pulls her to her feet, but Candice tackles her down again. LeRae with a left shoulder wrench, exerting pressure on the elbow. Shotzi powers to her feet but LeRae slams her back down. Indi is tagged in and covers for a two. Candice pulls shotzi up and sets her up on the apron. She strikes Shotzi as she's bent over the middle rope and tags in Candice. Indi runs and strikes Shotzi, followed up by Candice. LeRae with quick pin attempts. LeRae takes Shotzi to The Way's corner. Shotzi breaks away for a moment but Candice punches her down. Shotzi kicks Candice off, and LeRae stumbles back and tags in Indi. Hartwell prevents Shotzi from getting to her corner and attempts a cover. LeRae tagged back in. LeRae gets too cocksure and Shotzi escapes, tagging in Ember Moon for the first time tonight!
Moon hits the ring on fire, taking out both members of The Way. After a few more moments, chaos ensues as all four women brawl in the ring. A big spot takes place in which Indi Hartwell suplexes Candice off the top rope while Candice suplexes Moon & Blackheart off the top. Finally order is restored and Hartwell and Moon are our legal competitors. Hartwell with another pin attempt for a two. Hartwell with a pop-up sit-out Powerbomb for a close two. Hartwell is first to her feet, and holds Moon by the foot so she can tag in LeRae. Both women look for a double team, but Moon escapes. Moon with the hot tag to Blackheart, who flies into the ring and crashes onto both members of The Way! Hartwell spills to the outside. Blackheart sends LeRae out as well. Moon hops up on the middle rope and pushes it down while wrenching the top rope up. Blackheart with a suicide dive or botched tope, and Blackheart botches the landing hard, barely connecting with The Way. The camera stays on Moon in the ring as the ref rushes out to check on her. She landed hard on her neck and back against the floor and barricade. All seems fine, though, as Shotzi gets back in the ring. LeRae and Hartwell capitalize on the stunned Shotzi and use a series of quick tags to keep the ring cut in half for Shotzi. LeRae with a slam and pin attempt, almost getting three if not for Ember Moon diving in. Blackheart tags in Moon, climbs to the apron and tags herself back in as Moon flies out, nailing the Total Eclipse on LeRae and crashing into Hartwell. Shotzi follows with a top rope senton and manages to put it away to remain champs.
Your Winners and STILL NXT Women's Tag Team Champions, Ember Moon & Shotzi Blackheart!
North American Championship Match: Johnny Gargano(c) with Austin Theory vs Bronson Reed
Bronson Reed is out first for our next match. No more "Thicc Boi" or "Aus-zilla" references either! Out next is Johnny Gargano, wearing War Machine-styled gear. Michael Cole's failed clone experiment called Gargano "Iron Man" but he's a tool because we all know War Machine wears grey and silver, like Gargano; Iron Man uses reds and yellows/golds. Austin Theory escorts Johnny out. Our competitors square up in the ring as official announcements are made. Gargano tries to start off fast against Reed, but finds himself bouncing off Reed when attempting a drop kick. Reed moves slow, and hits a powerful Fall-Away Slam on Gargano. Gargano crawls to the corner and Reed casually follows him. Dueling "Let's go Bronson/Let's go Johnny" chants from the live crowd. Gargano with a sucker throat shot, then a springboard spear. Reed holds his abdomen, then knocks Gargano down. Reed continues to hold his abdomen on the left side after that spear. Big chop from Reed lays out Johnny TakeOver. Gargano finds an opening, striking the knee and lower back of Reed as he rolls the big man on the mat. Kick from Gargano to the gut that sends Reed to his feet outside. Reed holds his side still and leans against the apron. Gargano with a baseball slide to the midsection! Gargano springboards over the ropes but is caught by Reed. Reed hoists Gargano up, but Johnny escapes and shoves Reed forward. Reed collides with the corner of the desk and groans in pain. Gargano takes it into the ring and takes Reed to a corner, climbing up for mounted punches. Reed knocks him off but Gargano comes right back at him. Hit to the lower spine. Gargano with a splash on a seated Reed for a two.
Gargano slows the pace and keeps the big man grounded. Gargano with a series of kicks and knees, focusing on the back and side of Reed. Reed eventually powers to his feet as Gargano holds a sleeper on, and rams Johnny off of him. Gargano goes up on the middle rope and leaps off, but is caught by Reed who nails a big Powerslam! Reed still holding that side with his left hand. Reed with a splash to Johnny in the corner. Reed grabs him and immediately hits a one-handed chokeslam, then holds his tender side. Austin Theory, outside at ringside, tries to distract Reed. Reed takes a few moments, letting Gargano rise to his own feet, to get a breather. Reed lifts Gargano up in a Stalling Suplex. Gargano throws knees down to Reed's head, trying to break free. Reed drops Gargano on his shoulders and hits a Death Valley Driver for a very, very close two! Reed and Gargano move to the corner. Gargano moves to the apron and Reed climbs the middle rope. Reed attempts to suplex Gargano into the ring but his ribs won't let him fully lift Gargano. Johnny moves in and strikes Reed, then hits a backstabber to drop him off the ropes. Reed's head snapped back hard on that one, and even Beth worries he might have whiplash. Reed endures Gargano's offense briefly before hitting a big suplex, finally lifting the Champ over his head and down. Reed still doesn't cover. Reed steps out of the ropes, considering the Tsunami off the top, but heads back into the ring. Gargano with a surprise strike and rolls Reed up in a Crucifix pin but only gets two. Gargano and Reed have a fast-paced exchange in which Gargano and Reed counter each other until Gargano can drop Reed down with an arm drag. Gargano locks the Gargano-Lock on Reed in the middle of the ring! Reed inches his way over to the bottom rope, and Johnny holds the lock on until the ref counts to three. Reed lays half in the ring and half out before rolling to the ramp. Gargano sizes him up and uses the ropes to propel up, but Reed punches him in the face and knocks him down. Reed with a Razor's Edge that throws Gargano from the ramp and into the ring hard! Reed climbs up the ropes and goes for the Tsunami but Gargano moves! Johnny covers for a two, but Reed somehow finds a way to kick out.
Gargano reaches his feet first and sizes up Reed again. Gargano goes for the Superkick but Reed catches the foot and drops Gargano. Reed climbs up the ropes again. The ref is distracted by Gargano, and Theory hops up on the apron to attack Reed. Reed's fists intercept Theory, knocking him down to the floor. Gargano uses the distraction to buy time to rush over and strike. Gargano with strikes to Reed. Gargano climbs up onto Reed's shoulders, looking for a top-rope Hurricanrana but Reed holds firm to the top ropes, causing Gargano to fall down (looked like a botch). Reed with another Tsunami and would be the new champ if not for Austin Theory stumbling by where the ref couldn't see, placing Gargano's foot on the rope before pretending to wipe his eyes. Reed heads outside the ring and rips Theory's shirt off easily with one hand. Reed tangles with Theory until Gargano flies over the ropes and outside with a tope. Reed catches Gargano. The action heads back into the ring. Reed lifts Gargano up for a Powerbomb but Gargano punches his way free. Gargano with a Superkick! Reed stumbles. Gargano with a second, and Reed is stumbling more into the corner! Gargano goes for a third but Reed catches him with a Superkick of his own! Gargano is quick to recover, though, and hits the One Final Beat (springboard DDT) on Reed. Johnny Wrestling goes to the apron once again and hits a second One Final Beat, then covers to pick up the win.
Your Winner and STILL North American Champion, Johnny Gargano!
Co-Main Event NXT Championship Match: Finn Bálor(c) vs Karrion Kross
After a short video package highlighting this match, we cut to the arena and find Pete Dunne, Oney Lorcan, and Danny Burch standing in the crowd. Burch's arm is still in a sling. We cut to the stage, the screen now in black and white. White fog flows in as our challenger, Karrion Kross, comes out wearing a gladiator-type bottom. Scarlett steps out from behind him, wearing yet another distinct and interesting outfit. Scarlett gets in the ring, shedding the robe and does her "Fall and Pray" bit. The lights flash to red on a growling Karrion Kross as the music ramps up and ends, Kross standing before a knelt Scarlett who must have gotten some glitter down her top because she keeps checking down her own shirt. Out next is our champion after a series of black and white photos from different periods of his career are shown on screen. The Prince is here, and takes his time walking to the arena and posing on the corner, pointing finger guns at the camera as Karrion Kross stands menacingly behind the Champ. After Bálor's failed attempt to break Roman Reigns' record for longest entrance, we get the official announcements and both men stand toe-to-toe. Kross gets almost no reaction from the in-person crowd, but Bálor gets ample cheers. Finally the bell rings and we're off on our first co-main event! We're reminded that Bálor is 14-1 in TakeOver and has never lost a title on TakeOver, and also that Karrion Kross is 12-0 in singles matches in NXT.
For a few long seconds, both men stand staring at each other. Finn has a red "X" painted on his chest and Kross is rocking the full gladiator boots and bottoms. Both men circle and jockey for position. Kross attempts a rear waist lock, but Bálor slips out and puts him in an arm wrench. Kross slips out and hits Bálor with a knee to the abdomen; Bálor locks a side headlock on Kross and wrenches him down to a squatting position. Kross attempts to run and whip Bálor off but Bálor refuses to let go of the head and wrenches it. Kross again fights to his feet, this time successfully whipping Bálor into the ropes and dropping Bálor on the rebound. Bálor up to his feet and goes for Kross but misses, and Kross laughs at him. Bálor kicks Kross in the leg and it pisses off Kross, who throws Bálor halfway across the ring. Bálor rises, this time laughing. Both men reposition. Bálor slaps Kross. Kross huffs, and puffs, and rams Bálor into the corner. Kross snaps, repeatedly throwing his shoulder into Bálor's gut as the ref warns. He strikes Bálor and yells "is this what you want?" before whipping Bálor to the corner. Kross charges in again but connects with the ring post when Bálor dodges.
Bálor takes control now, using an arm wrench to keep Kross on his knees. Scarlett yells support to her man and Kross tries to force out of a face lock. Kross breaks free and takes Bálor back to the corner. Kross is favoring his left arm, a bit. Kross with a big exploder suplex. Kross pulls the Champ up by his jaw and places Bálor in a Tree of Woe. Kross hits a series of kicks to the chest as the ref warns him. Kross backs up then charges in, hitting a Kitchen Sink jumping knee. Kross backs off again before the ref can warn, and Bálor spills to the mat. Kross takes a moment to play with Bálor and pays for it as Bálor picks Kross' injured left arm and whips him down to the mat, locking on an arm wrench with his knees holding Kross' shoulders. Kross won't tap and makes it to his feet. Bálor still has the arm locked in. Kross looks for the one-armed Powerbomb but Bálor counters mid-air into a modified Urinage. Bálor resumes working on Kross' left arm, using the top rope to hyper-extend the elbow before kicking Kross in the midsection. Bálor with an awkward strike and Kross falls to the mat, doubled over in pain. The ref checks on him and Bálor runs over, kicking Kross in the midsection. Kross rolls to the apron where Scarlett checks on him. Bálor gives the challenger not a moment of rest, however, and continues to attack Kross. Bálor gets Kross against the ropes and punches Kross in his tender spot twice. Kross attempts a comeback, picking up the Champ and ramming him into the turnbuckle. Kross goes for it again, but Bálor counters and both men are down. The ref begins counting.
Bálor attempts to get up at five, but Kross snarls, sits up and grabs Bálor's foot. Kross fires up his comeback, hitting a suplex and rolling it into a lariat. Big right from Kross. Kross with a Powerbomb that drops him to his own knees in pain, clasping his side. Kross covers Bálor but only gets a two. Kross continues to hold his side and rubs it. Kross yells "Doomsday" and pulls Bálor up, hooking him up. Bálor has his opponent scouted and slips free. Bálor attacks Kross' injured side and continues to manipulate it. Bálor with an abdominal stretch, keeping it on for half a minute until Kross can power out of it.
Kross with a suplex, followed by a Doomsday Suplex. Kross moves to a corner and winds his right arm windmill style as he awaits Bálor to rise. Once the Champ is up, Kross exclaims "time's up" and runs right into a Pele kick. Bálor with the Shotgun Dropkick. Bálor wastes no time heading up and hitting the Coup de Grace, covering for a close two. Kross pops out of it and slaps a sleeper on Bálor. Bálor can't reach the hold, but propels his body up and back, rolling out of it and popping up in the air to hit a double-stomp to Kross' injured midsection. Bálor with kicks to Kross' midsection as the big man screams in pain. Bálor locks Kross in a side abdominal stretch by the ropes. Scarlett stands nearby and calls out to Kross, and speaks something in a different language. Kross breaks the hold, mounts Bálor's rear and hammers the Champ with multiple forearm strikes. Kross hits a Doomsday Saito, dropping Bálor on the back of his neck. Bálor makes his way to the corner and leans in it. Kross with a running lariat to the Champ's back. Kross posts up in the corner and awaits for Bálor to rise. Kross screams and hits a powerful running forearm, striking Bálor on the back of the head. Kross covers and picks up the three!
Your Winner and NEW NXT Champion, Karrion Kross!
Franky Monet Promo
Another promo of a small-breed dog running to a woman wearing a pair of furry boots--and that's all we can see, but Franky Monet will debut this Tuesday when NXT moves to Tuesday nights!
Backstage Interview: Legado del Fantasma
Mackenzie is backstage with all of Legado. Santos says that Legado is family, and calls himself the Emperor of Lucha.
Co-Main Event Unsanctioned Match: Kyle O'Reilly vs Adam Cole
For sake of laziness, Kyle O'Reilly will often be referred to as "KOR" here. After another video hyping their friendship, which goes back over a decade, we get ready for our final match of TakeOver: Stand & Deliver. Out first is Kyle O' Reilly, wearing a sleeveless hoodie that says "Axe & Smash" on it. He comes out to brand new music and occasionally headbangs and jives to the music. The crowd is hot for KOR tonight. KOR slaps his cheeks outside the ring, psyching himself up for this Unsanctioned match. Out next is Adam Cole, wearing a shirt similar to his UE but with no mention of the faction. His new music is built around the signature lick from the UE theme. Security lines the ramp, and moves into the ring to line it and keep our competitors apart as the announcements are made and we get ready to start. Security exits and we've got a black-shirt ref as its an unsanctioned bout.
Both men wait just for a moment before immediately clashing in the middle of the ring. Both unload on each other, with Kyle O'Reilly getting control first. KOR with kicks to batter his former bestie. Cole counters KOR with a strike, and KOR rolls to the outside. Cole springboards out and KOR rolls it through into an arm bar. Cole escapes the submission hold and whips KOR into the barricade. Cole pulls KOR up again and leads him to the other side of the ring, ramming him into that barricade. Cole pauses to catch his break, and KOR recovers fast. KOR with a striking combination before taking his turn to ram Cole into the barricade. KOR pulls a chair from out beneath the ring, where several are stacked. KOR sets the chair up on the floor, then takes Cole to it and seats him. KOR with big high kicks to the seated Cole. After the first two, Cole catches the leg but can't capitalize on it as KOR hits a snap suplex. KOR sends Cole into the ring but is caught with a shoulder when he enters. Cole rams KOR to the corner with his shoulder, but KOR converts it to a Guillotine lock and backs up the turnbuckles to increase the torque. Cole shoves KOR back, launching KOR out of the ring and hard to the floor. Cole heads outside, whips KOR into the barricade and begins pulling chairs out from beneath the ring. He pulls out half a dozen chairs, placing all but one in the ring.
Cole rams the steel chair into KOR's gut. He then strikes KOR with the steel chair across the back. Vic Joseph points at that there was an Undisputed Era logo on the chair that Cole was using. Cole takes KOR back into the ring and pushes the edge of the chair into the back of KOR's neck, driving down hard as he screams at his former friend. Cole with a Strong Irish Whip that bounces KOR off the turnbuckles and to the mat. Cole sets the UE chair up in the middle of the ring, its logo up, and hits a neckbreaker on KOR right on top of the steel chair. Cole yells, "this is what you wanted!" Cole pulls KOR up and connects with another Strong Irish Whip. Cole pulls KOR to a seated position and begins to wrench the skull and neck. Cole breaks it and pulls KOR up in a rear grapple. KOR jerks one of Cole's arms free and attempts a comeback but is unsuccessful. Cole focuses on KOR's ribs and takes his time, taunting KOR as he toys with him. Cole yells that he made KOR who he is, and kicks KOR in the face twice. O'Reilly angrily stands and rises, and both men exchange blows. KOR with a big running kick. Cole fires back with a running knee. Both men get to their feet and O'Reilly performs his trademark striking combo. Cole pulls himself up in the corner as KOR sets a steel chair up in the middle of the ring. KOR attacks Cole in the corner, then Powerbombs Cole through the chair and immediately transitions it to an Ushigoroshi! Cole grabs the ropes but the ref looks on as there's no ropebreak. Both men move to the outside and brawl briefly before heading to the ring. Cole readies a chair, but KOR closes the distance and throws fists. Cole swings the chair, but KOR punches it so hard that the chair is shoved back into Cole's face, knocking him down hard. KOR covers but only gets a two, and we see a huge dent in the chair from his fist. KOR heads outside and finds some chain conveniently beneath the ring, tossing it in. KOR starts to climb in but Cole catches KOR with the Hangman Neckbreaker right across the chains, getting a close two. Cole starts to set the chain up over the top rope. KOR gains the momentum and wraps the chain around his boot even as its still hooked to the top rope. The chain is probably twenty feet long. KOR kicks Cole three times with the chain-clad boot until Cole uses the chain to trip KOR up. Cole uses the chain around KOR's leg to his advantage as he slaps on a Figure Four! KOR screams in pain for a few long moments, then reverses it by rolling over. Cole reverses it back to a Figure Four. KOR breaks it with several blows to Cole's head. Both men rise at the same time. Cole with a right. KOR with a knee. Cole with a right, KOR with a combination strike. KOR runs off the ropes and Cole yanks an end of the chain, causing KOR to clothesline himself on the chain at full speed! Cole pulls KOR up, positions behind him and wraps chain around KOR. Cole hits a chain-assisted backstabber.
Cole sets up two chairs in the ring, back to back in the far right corner. Cole picks KOR up in a Samoan carry. KOR wiggles free. Cole strikes KOR's injured neck; KOR fires back with a kick. Cole whips KOR onto the chairs then hits a Shining Wizard on a seated KOR, breaking both seats as KOR's body crashes through them. Cole heads back to the outside and pulls the top of the steel steps off. Cole then pulls KOR out of the ring, dragging him by an arm and dropping him to the floor. Cole pulls KOR up but KOR can't stand and drops. Cole talks smack to him, then repositions and sets up for a suplex onto the steps. KOR floats over, reversing the mood and locking on the Guillotine on the steel steps! The height advantage works to his advantage. Finally, KOR simply releases it and then kicks Cole. KOR pulls Cole up and hints at a suplex onto the steel steps, but releases Cole. KOR is obviously struggling with fighting his former BFF. Cole rams KOR into the barricade in a desperate attempt to regain control, but KOR takes him down again. KOR cleans off the commentary table and lays Cole on it. KOR climbs on top of the desk and pulls Cole up. Cole with a right! KOR answers with a right of his own. Cole with a right, then KOR--you see the pattern. This goes on until Cole is the only one left throwing forearms and fists, dropping KOR to his knee. KOR is quicker to the draw and suplexes Cole into the other announcer's table, bouncing Cole off as the crowd breaks out in yet more chants. KOR climbs off the announcer's table and has sheets of paper stuck to his ass and hip from sweating so much. Haha.
KOR tries to follow Cole to the side-stage/timekeeper's area but Cole was waiting for him and attacks. Cole takes KOR back to the ring and goes back under the ring where he finds a big red toolbox. Cole dumps its contents onto the apron. It has a wrench, a shorter length of chain, pliers...and the pliers catch Cole's attention. Cole stands over KOR, holding the pliers up menacingly as KOR tries to hold him off. Cole drops the pliers and kicks KOR. Cole picks up a tire iron but KOR with a big jumping kick before Cole can use it. KOR picks it up but Cole hits an enziguri that sends KOR bouncing against the ropes and almost over them. KOR rebounds, however, and hits a clothesline from Hell to cover for two. The crowd with loud NXT chants again. KOR takes the long length of chain and starts to wrap the chain around Cole's left arm. KOR then locks in a cross armbreaker, the steel chain assisting! Cole screams in pain and tries to escape, but KOR transitions to a modified Triangle hold. Cole is fading...then smacks KOR in the ribs with a tire iron to break the hold. Both men remain down, exhausted, catching their breath. Both set up steel chairs and KOR struggles to get his to set up proper. Cole sits in his chair, and KOR sits in his, both men barely inches apart. Cole angrily talks to KOR, telling him that he hates him, and that he sucks, etc. KOR with a seated kick to Cole's face. Cole responds with a fist and both men begin a sequence of slow, powerful punches as they make their way to their feet. Cole doesn't stay there long, however, as KOR drops him to his knees and pounds him with kicks. Cole breaks free with a low blow that drops KOR to all fours. Cole rises and yells for KOR to get up. Cole streaks across and nails a beautiful Superkick, and covers for a very close two.
Cole regains his footing first, and grabs a steel chair that he wedges around KOR's head. Cole grabs another chair. The ref yells at him repeatedly "you don't want to do that!" Cole yells for the ref to shut up but the ref won't, so Cole takes out the ref. The crowd breaks into a loud "you deserved it" chant! Cole slowly climbs up the turnbuckles, sitting on the top as he awaits KOR to rise. Cole leaps, hitting the Panama Sunrise on the injured neck of KOR! Cole covers for at least a six count, but the ref is still out from Cole's attack. Cole shoves the ref's inanimate body, calling him stupid and telling him to get up. Cole, realizing the ref isn't waking just yet, Stands up over the ref. He tells the ref that the ref only has one job and he sucks at it. KOR, meanwhile, rolls slowy out the ring and onto the ramp. Cole throws the UE chair out of the ring onto the ramp and steps out, retrieving his chair as he turns his vitriol to O'Reilly. KOR stands, barely, and Cole simply throws the chair at KOR. The chair smashes KOR in the face and he drops down. The crowd is hot behind Adam Cole now. KOR rolls off the ramp to the side area that isn't elevated. Cole follows and throws KOR into the caged barricade three times. Finally, KOR counters by grabbing Cole and dragging him face-first into the barricade. Both men get up and grapple, with both men crashing hard into the caged barricade and bending it slightly. Cole puts KOR up on the ramp, then climbs up himself. Cole circles his fallen friend and pulls KOR up. KOR hops up and locks Cole in a submission. Cole desperately dives forward, and both men crash through the stage!
Cole and KOR make their way to the ring, but KOR tumbles out. Cole is in charge--barely--and backdrops KOR. Cole pulls KOR up outside the ring, struggling to get O'Reilly to his feet. Cole sends KOR back into the ring and the ref is up finally. Cole covers but only gets a two--O'Reilly just got the shoulder up in time! Cole uses the ropes to pull himself up. The fans start a loud, dueling Cole/KOR chant. Cole positions KOR up on his knees and pulls down his own knee pad, looking for the One Last Shot. KOR falls on his face, however, so Cole aborts the move. Cole speaks to KOR and leans him up again, and goes for the One Last Shot yet again. This time, KOR ducks and poistions Cole into a pretzel leg hold. Cole is writhing in pain as KOR yanks on the hold. Cole wraps chain around his fist then clocks KOR with it. Cole slowly climbs the turnbuckles, looking for another Panama Sunrise. O'Reilly catches Cole and hits a Death Valley Driver! KOR with a running low kick. KOR has a crazed look on his face. KOR pulls down his own knee pad and hits Cole's own move on him! The Last Shot to Cole! KOR covers but only gets a close two!
KOR wraps the length of short chain around Cole's foot and positions a chair, climbing up and looking to put away Cole. Cole pops up and drops KOR to the ring mat. Cole sets up a chair upside down, so its legs are sticking up. Cole sits KOR on the middle rope in the corner, facing the turnbuckle. Cole grabs the loose end of the lengthy chain. Cole climbs up and yells into KOR's face and asks if he understands twice. KOR with the low blow, dropping Cole to the mat! KOR wraps the end of chain around his right boot and uses a carabiner to latch it to his boot. KOR dives off, using the chain-wrapped leg to put Cole through the steel chair. O'Reilly covers and finally picks up the win! The crowd gives them a standing ovation after a great, powerful match. The ref checks on both men who are still down.
Your Winner, Kyle O'Reilly!
After the Match
A group of medical staff make their way out and carefully place a neck brace on Cole before placing him on, and strapping him to, a medical gurney board. KOR exits, looking absolutely exhausted as he backs up the ramp, keeping his eyes glued on Cole. Finally, KOR heads further up the stage with wicked welts, bruises and scrapes all over his back and shoulders. Both men's bodies are going to hurting for a bit. As KOR watches medics attend to Adam Cole, a ref comes up behind KOR and squats...then is gone when the camera pans back.
Wow, what an impressive night once again! This is, by far, one of the best TakeOvers to date if not vying for the best. So that wraps it up for NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver! Stay cool, stay frosty, and stay safe out there! See you all tomorrow for the final SmackDown before WrestleMania starts in just under 48 hours!
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